Originally Posted by
Bald Paul
It's relatively easy to set up your old bike on a non-smart trainer for use with Zwift (for the video game like graphics) or Rouvy (a more realistic approach.) All you really need is your computer with BT or ANT+ and a speed sensor on the rear wheel hub. You can add in a cadence sensor, heart rate, power meter if you want, but for something inexpensive, that's the way to go.
For a bit more money, you can get a wheel on or wheel off smart trainer that will mimic the gradients in the programs.
I went a bit crazy during the pandemic (didn't we all?) and built up a CF Chinese frameset (ICAN) using some existing stuff I had - wheels (rim brake) and Ultegra 11 spd Di2 driveline. I've since upgraded to a disc brake bike with SRAM wireless 12 spd, so the rim brake frame is mounted on a Zwift hub (direct drive smart trainer.)
Can't offer any advice regarding your new bike. Road, trail, touring - they are all now pretty much specialized (not the brand, the type.) You'd be hard pressed to find a "road bike" that will accept racks and panniers for touring.
First thank you for the reply. My surly has an old cyclops power tap hub but it is wire, not wireless. The computrainer works fine but if it dies I found out they went OOB. LOL. My mac has bluetooth but my hub is not ant+ which I assume means wireless? If I need to buy a new wheel with ANT+ hub I may be better off with a smart trainer. If that is the case which trainer should I look into or do you recommend a new rear wheel with ANT+ power hub?
I did go crazy and built the surly as well. I may finish a couple of the other frames eventually but for now lets stick with what I have an I hope if I get into it I will upgrade.
Thanks again for anymore advice.